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How to Make Your Manicure Last Longer

Hello, darlings! Hope you all had an amazing weekend! I had to work a few nights this week, and it’s reaaaally throwing off my sleep pattern. I find myself groggily rolling out of a warm, comfy bed around 10 in the morning, cutting into my blogging schedule and making me load up on coffee. Well, I already load up on coffee, but I’ve been drinking more lately because of the weird sleep habits.

Aaaaaaanyway, I’ll stop babbling about my life and get on with what’s really important.

How to make your manicure last longer.

A lot of us ladies participate in the ritual of putting a shiny shell of paint on our nails, and it really, really sucks when you chip that first nail. Whether you get them done at a salon, or take the time to paint them yourself, manicures that don’t last at least three days are the worst.

As an avid nail polish addict enthusiast, I’ve collected a few tips & tricks for extending the life of your manicure. Some of them seem pretty straight-forward, and some of them are so simple, even I’m embarrassed to admit that they’ve taken me this long to figure out.

Use a base coat.

I really can’t stress how important this is. The base coat gives the nail polish something to stick to, other than a smooth, shiny surface. A good base coat will provide a layer between your nail and the polish so dark colors will be less likely to stain your nails. Some colors though.. well, it doesn’t even matter if you use a base coat (seriously, every single time I use red nail polish).

If you have dry, brittle, or splitting nails, a good base coat is absolutely necessary – especially if you’re constantly applying polish after polish. Also, a stickier base coat helps the polish stay on longer.

Double up on the base.

Apply the first layer to the tip and halfway down your nail, and then follow with another layer on the whole nail. A little extra protection on the tip of your nail (the part most likely to chip) never hurt anybody, and will actually help strengthen the nail underneath the polish.

Never a bad idea.

Wear gloves when washing the dishes.

Seems super simple, huh?

I figured this out after I had gotten my nails done spur-of-the-moment one day, and came home to a huge pile of dishes that I completely forgot I wanted to do. Luckily I’d bought a pair of rubber gloves that day (completely unrelated) because I wanted to give the bathtub a really good clean, so I just wore them while doing the dishes, too.

#winning

Honestly, this is one of the best ways to prevent your nails from getting wet and absorbing any of the soapy water from the sink. Once that happens, you’re bound to see peeling polish and your color will chip off much quicker.

Don’t soak your nails pre-mani!

Soaking your nails causes them to absorb the water, expanding the enamel in your nail. When the polish is applied, it’s applied to an expanded nail. When all of the water finally evaporates, your nail will shrink to its normal size, and the polish will 100% chip because it’s not adhered properly.

Try using cuticle oil instead, or ask your salon to skip the water and use a cuticle remover instead.

Reapply your top coat.

It seems weird to apply layer upon layer of nail polish on, but reapplying your top coat every two or three days adds a nice shine, and also keeps your polish from chipping. Just think of it as adding a protective barrier to your nails. Just remember to reapply after a day or two!

Don’t forget the tip!

When you’re applying the top coat, make sure you get the very tip of your nail. This part of your finger comes in contact with almost everything and needs a bit of extra protection. As a writer, I find that typing on my keyboard wears away the polish much quicker, so I try and cover the tip as best as I can.

Well ladies, those are the tips I use to make my manicure last longer, and they do work.

If I take the time to paint my nails, or spend money to have someone else do them for me, I expect the look to last for at least a few days. These tips are easy to do, and if you’re already doing most of them, yayyyy! Don’t forget to pin the photo below and share these tips with your girlfriends. They will thank you, I promise.

And then pretty soon, we’ll all have amazing mani’s and will rule the world with flawless claws.

What are some things you do to make your manicure last longer? Share your tips with me in the comments below!

Great tips! I typed on a keyboard all day when i was doing my own manisures so they would chip after only 2 days. I did use the Sally Hansen base and gel top coat with Essie polished those lasted a few days longer.